James B. Williams

USGA Executive Committee

James B. Williams, of Orinda, Calif., is in his third year as a member of the USGA Executive Committee.

Williams is a partner of TPG Capital, one of the world’s largest private equity firms, which owns more than 90 large-scale companies. He has worldwide responsibility for overseeing management, strategic and human capital initiatives across the portfolio, and serves on the boards of directors of several public and private companies, primarily in the technology, health care, business services and consumer/retail sectors. Prior to TPG, Williams was the CEO of a large health-care company and managing partner of a worldwide management consulting firm.

Williams earned his bachelor’s degree with honors from the University of Southern California in 1978, and an MBA in organizational behavior and finance from USC in 1980. As a collegiate golfer, he received USC’s Outstanding Scholar-Athlete award and was named to the All Pac-8 Conference golf team. Williams, who competed in the 2007 U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship, remains a competitive amateur golfer.

Williams chairs the Intercollegiate Relations and Men’s State Team committees and also serves on the Amateur Status, Audit, Championship, Course/Club Membership and International Team Selection committees.

The USGA and Chevron have committed to using the game of golf to encourage students in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) disciplines.
This commitment has led to the creation of extensive golf-focused STEM teaching tools, and has resulted in charitable contributions to support golf-related
programs through Eagles for Education

At U.S. Open Championships the Chevron STEM ZONE™ is an interactive experience highlighting the science and math behind the game of golf through a variety of hands-on exhibits and experiments.

The partnership has also produced educational materials such as the Science of Golf video series and a nationally-distributed newspaper insert which are provided to teachers as tools to enhance existing curriculum in schools. These lessons teach the science behind the USGA’s equipment testing, handicapping, and agronomy efforts.

Rolex has been a longtime supporter of the USGA and salutes the sportsmanship and great traditions unique to the game. This support includes the Rules of Golf where Rolex has partnered with the USGA to ensure golfers understand and appreciate the game.

As the official timekeeper of the USGA and its championships, they also provide clocks throughout host sites for spectator convenience.

IBM provides the information technology to develop and host the U.S. Open’s official website, www.usopen.com, as well as the mobile apps and scoring systems for the three U.S. Open championships. These real-time technology solutions provide an enhanced experience for fans following the championship onsite and online.

For more information on IBM and the technology that powers the U.S. Open and businesses worldwide, visit http://www.usopen.com/IBM

Lexus

Lexus is committed to partnering with the USGA to deliver a best-in-class experience for the world’s best golfers by providing a fleet of courtesy luxury vehicles for all USGA Championships.

At each U.S. Open, Women’s Open and Senior Open, Lexus provides spectators with access to unique experiences ranging from the opportunity to have a picture taken with both the U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open trophies to autograph signings with legendary Lexus Golf Ambassadors in the Lexus Performance Drive Pavilion.

Together, American Express and the USGA have been providing world-class service to golf fans since 2006. By creating interactive U.S. Open experiences both onsite and online, American Express enhances the USGA’s effort to make the game more accessible and enjoyable for fans.